Service Meetings for April

Week Starting April 5

Song 55

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Review “May We Offer the Creator Book?” Invite all interested ones to attend the special public talk on April 18. The talk is entitled “True Friendship With God and Neighbor.”

15 min: “Eagerly Preach the Good News.” Introduce the article in less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion. Conclude with encouragement based on the School Guidebook, pages 191-2, paragraphs 12-13.

20 min: “How Family Members Cooperate for a Full Share​—In the Ministry.” Discussion by a family group. Consider reasons why the family should view field service as a regular weekly routine in which all participate. Review encouragement given in September 1, 1993, Watchtower, pages 17-19, paragraphs 9-12. Invite parents in the audience to relate how they successfully organize weekly service activity for their family.

Song 67 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 12

Song 112

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “Intensifying the Witness as the End Nears.” Questions and answers. Interview one or two publishers who at one time could never have imagined that they would be sharing in the preaching work but who are now doing so regularly because they have come to appreciate the urgent need to spread the Kingdom message. As time permits, include brief experiences from the 1997 Yearbook, pages 42-8, showing how publishers have intensified their witnessing efforts by going where the people are.

Song 93 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 19

Song 79

5 min: Local announcements.

10 min: “Do You Have a Standing Order?” A talk, preferably by the elder or ministerial servant who handles the magazines. Let the congregation know how many magazines are received each month and the average number that are reported as placed. We should not let magazines go to waste. Offer suggestions showing how older copies can be distributed.​—See July 1993 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 1.

30 min: “Pioneering​—Wise Use of Our Time!” Questions and answers. Assign three different individuals to relate the experiences presented in paragraphs 5-7. Conclude by inviting all who can to consider applying for auxiliary or regular pioneer service. Applications are available from any member of the Congregation Service Committee. Mention that it is not too late to submit an application to auxiliary pioneer in May.

Song 165 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 26

Song 70

10 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for April. Announce the names of those who will auxiliary pioneer in May, and encourage others to apply. Give some helpful suggestions for presenting the current magazines.​—See October 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8.

17 min: “What Should I Do?” After a brief review of the article with the audience, look in on a teenager talking to his or her parent about plans for the future after graduation from high school. They review together the July 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4. Parent gives advice in harmony with encouragement provided in The Watchtower of February 1, 1996, page 14, and December 1, 1996, pages 17-19. Now that the pioneer hour requirements are reduced, teenager considers the possibility of pioneering while completing a secular education.

18 min: Interview Auxiliary Pioneers. Service overseer interviews some publishers who are auxiliary pioneering this month as well as others who have done so in the past. Invite them to relate some of the blessings they have enjoyed, what they have accomplished, and why they look forward to auxiliary pioneering again at least one or two months each year.

Song 69 and concluding prayer.

May We Offer the Creator Book?

Last year we all rejoiced to receive the book Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? It is a book uniquely designed for those who, although well educated in secular matters, may not believe in God. This book fills an ever-increasing need.

For practical reasons the monthly literature offer usually features publications that have wider appeal. Does this mean that we should refrain from offering the Creator book? Not at all! This book may be offered at any time throughout the year to individuals who do not believe in God and who may benefit from it. It may also be offered to individuals who believe in God but have no real concept of who he is or what his qualities and purposes are. So you are encouraged to carry a copy in your witnessing bag and be ready to offer it to anyone you think will be interested in reading it.

January Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Number of: Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’l Pios. 171 123.2 92.8 53.0 4.5

Pios. 78,034 64.7 41.6 21.7 1.7

Aux.Pios. 28,903 49.6 33.9 13.6 0.8

Pubs. 838,893 8.8 7.2 3.4 0.3

TOTAL 946,001 Baptized: 1,649

An all-time peak of 78,034 regular pioneers was reached in January! Additionally, 28,903 enrolled as auxiliary pioneers​—the highest number ever reported in the month of January. The reduced hour requirement for regular and auxiliary pioneers, announced in the January 1999 Our Kingdom Ministry, has made it possible for many of Jehovah’s dedicated people to seize the opportunity to have a greater share in the Kingdom-preaching work.